The morning sun slowly rose, dispersing the fog from the valley surrounding Thalindra's home. Ian and Gerude sat at the dining table, enjoying their toasted bread and warm herbal tea. Helel and Ereshkigal stood behind them, the tension between them palpable.
"So, is this process dangerous?" Ian asked, looking at Thalindra.
Thalindra nodded. "If the energy is unbalanced, the dragonwood could crack, or you... could turn into spirit stone."
Gerude and Ian exchanged anxious glances. Elara smiled faintly. "Don't worry, that rarely happens."
Helel turned to Gerude. "Focus. Don't fail."
Ereshkigal gave Ian a cold stare. "Focus, or it's all over."
"Enough," Thalindra said firmly. "Let's begin."
**
In the sunlit courtyard, Elara arranged the ritual tools. "This silk cloth will stabilize the energy," she said. "Trust it if you lose control."
Next to her lay two dragonwood sticks, aged yet dignified. Thalindra stood in the center of the ritual circle, ancient symbols glowing on the ground. "These dragonwoods are the core of your contract. Channel the energy evenly. The silk cloth will protect your bodies. If the balance is disrupted..."
Thalindra looked at Ian and Gerude. "You will turn into spirit stone."
"We understand," Ian muttered, his voice trembling.
Thalindra nodded. "If you succeed, these dragonwoods will transform into magic staffs that only the two of you can wield."
Elara smiled. "The final trial. But if you fail, there will be no second chance."
Helel approached Gerude. "Stay calm. With focus, you will succeed."
Ereshkigal glared at Ian. "This is on you if you don't take it seriously."
"Stop blaming him!" Helel snapped.
"Are you perfect?" Ereshkigal shot back coldly.
"Enough!" Thalindra shouted. "You must calm the energy now!"
But the cracking sounds grew louder, like a roar signaling an impending disaster. Ian and Gerude looked desperate, yet they couldn't stop the flow of magic.
Suddenly, a blinding explosion of white light erupted.
**
The dragonwoods of Ian and Gerude cracked, the sound of CRAAACK! echoing. The dark black light from Ian's dragonwood mixed with the golden light from Gerude's, creating uncontrollable energy. The ritual circle pulsed violently, and the ancient symbols blazed brightly as if absorbing the energy.
BOOM!
A burst of white light engulfed the entire courtyard, as if day had exploded out of nowhere. Thalindra stepped back, shielding her face from the brilliance. "No! This shouldn't be happening!" she shouted.
Elara ran forward but was stopped by the force of the energy. "Ian! Gerude! Answer me!"
Helel watched the explosion sharply, his face anxious, though he remained calm. "Gerude..." he murmured.
Ereshkigal stood tall, his body cloaked in shadow. "This is foolish," he said quietly, his face tight with tension. "If this fails, I won't make it easy."
A strong wind blew from the center of the ritual circle, the white light expanding, erasing everything in its path.
Amid the explosion, two silhouettes appeared—Ian and Gerude. Their bodies stood firm, surrounded by different auras. Ian was cloaked in dark mist, while Gerude was surrounded by golden white light.
The light reached its peak, forming a giant energy ball above the dragonwoods. In an instant, the ball contracted and disappeared into the dragonwoods with a heavy thud.
**
After the explosion, silence enveloped the space. The natural sounds were gone, leaving only a stifling stillness. The ritual circle, once full of energy, now felt empty, as if the power had been completely absorbed.
Thalindra stood in the center of the silence, her eyes fixed on Ian and Gerude. "Ian... Gerude...?" her voice was calm, but the tension was clear.
Ian opened his eyes. The light that had vanished left only darkness. "I... I'm okay," he murmured, his body trembling, but he felt warmth.
On the other side, Gerude quickly opened her eyes, her gaze immediately drawn to the dragonwood. "What is this?" she whispered, shuddering as she touched the now different staff.
Ian's staff was made of black obsidian, emitting a subtle sheen. Gerude's staff, on the other hand, was transparent like crystal, with a soft white light flowing along its shaft. Both staffs seemed alive, waiting to be explored further.
Elara stared in disbelief, her eyes wide. "They... succeeded," she murmured, her voice trembling. A sense of relief filled her heart. "I really thought we lost them."
Thalindra approached cautiously, her eyes filled with awe. "This is extraordinary," she said. "This is not just a perfect contract. It's more than that. These staffs... they are not just magic tools."
Helel stood tall behind Gerude, a small smile on his face. "Of course they succeeded," he said confidently. "How could Gerude fail with my guidance?"
Ereshkigal snorted, his eyes sharp. "Your guidance? Ian succeeded despite you being like a lantern getting in the way."
Helel turned, narrowing his eyes. "Your darkness didn't help."
"And your blinding light didn't either," Ereshkigal retorted.
Elara chuckled softly. "You two are still bickering. Maybe that's what made everything work."
Ian lowered his head, feeling the energy flow through the obsidian staff. "This staff... it feels alive," he whispered, his eyes focused on the shadow patterns moving along the shaft.
Gerude held her crystal staff with deep reverence. "This is incredible," she said softly. "I can feel Helel here. We are connected."
Gerude closed her eyes, feeling the gentle vibrations within the staff. "This is more than just a tool. It's a link between me and Helel."
On the other side, Ian felt the same. "I feel... like the entire world is moving with me," he whispered, unable to hide his astonishment.
Thalindra watched them with pride. "You have exceeded your limits. This is not just the result of training or magic; this is the manifestation of your souls."
Elara spoke quietly, "This power could change the world, for better or worse. Be careful."
Helel spoke seriously. "Elara is right. Such power requires control and understanding."
Gerude looked at Helel with unwavering confidence. "We will learn to control it."
Ereshkigal sneered. "You think you can control this power just like that?"
Helel turned, his eyes calm but firm. "Enough, Ereshkigal. There is no more time for doubt."
Ereshkigal snorted and fell silent, observing with calculated attention.
Thalindra, sensing the growing tension, spoke firmly. "Your bond with Famulus and this world is a power that must be nurtured. Don't get caught in pride. Only with that can you overcome the challenges ahead."
Gerude lifted her crystal staff, reaffirming her commitment. "We will try."
Ian stared at his obsidian staff with determination. "We won't waste this power."
Elara nodded, though concern lingered in her eyes. "Be careful. Don't let this power control you."
The air was thick with tension, the world full of possibilities stretching out before them. They knew the journey ahead wouldn't be easy, but their resolve was strong. As long as they were together and connected, they would face whatever came their way.
**
When the ritual to finalize the contract was complete, a dazzling light suddenly emanated from the staffs of Gerude and Ian. The light was brighter and more intense than before, flooding the room with a blinding white glow. Everyone was startled, but the most shocking change was what happened to Helel and Ereshkigal.
Both, who had previously been in a transcendent form, now radiated with mesmerizing light. As the light slowly faded, their bodies transformed into human form. Helel, with shimmering golden hair and ocean-blue eyes, looked majestic and powerful. Meanwhile, Ereshkigal, with obsidian black hair and emerald green eyes, was equally stunning. Now, they stood in their human forms, exuding an aura of strength.
Elara, witnessing the transformation, couldn't hold back. "Wow, you two are really irresistible," she said with a mischievous smile, teasing them. "I don't know which is more captivating—your bodies or your faces."
Helel and Ereshkigal exchanged a glance, feeling awkward. Helel tried to maintain his composure. "Elara," he said, slightly confused, "we've just transformed. We're not... for teasing like that."
Ereshkigal, usually calm, appeared uneasy this time. "What are you doing, Elara?" he asked, his tone slightly more serious.
Elara chuckled softly, realizing how awkward their reactions were. "You two look like heroes from ancient tales! How can I resist?"
Helel took a deep breath, trying to control the strange feelings rising within him. "We need to focus on the situation," he said, "not... not on other things."
Ereshkigal nodded, though a little sheepishly. "Right, we must focus on what needs to be done next."
Seeing that they were starting to regain their composure, Elara finally nodded. "Alright, alright. But you really are incredible. No one can deny that."
With the tension beginning to ease, they continued on their journey, though Helel and Ereshkigal still felt a sense of confusion as they stepped into a completely new world.
**
Time passed unnoticed, and the silence of the night enveloped them. The fading sunlight marked the arrival of evening, bringing an end to the momentous events that had just occurred. However, the silence didn't last long.
Thalindra, who had been watching attentively, nodded to her students. "Come on," she said calmly, "Let's head back and prepare dinner."
Gerude and Ian followed her without saying much, though their minds were still filled with confusion. Helel and Ereshkigal, despite now being in human form, still appeared puzzled, as if trying to comprehend the new world they were facing.
Suddenly, Helel's voice broke the silence of the night. "Thalindra..." his voice was low, filled with confusion. "I feel... hungry."
Ereshkigal, standing beside him, nodded. "I feel the same. We've never felt hungry before."
Thalindra stopped and looked at them with understanding. "That's a result of the changes you've undergone," she replied gently. "When you became human, your bodies began to experience new needs—like hunger. Before, you were Famulus, energy beings that didn't require food. But now, your human bodies need energy from the physical world."
Thalindra continued with a wise tone, "You now have real human bodies, and with that comes human needs. You will learn how to handle it, though this is part of the process you need to understand."
Ian, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "So, are Helel and Ereshkigal truly human now?"
Thalindra gazed at them all calmly. "Not entirely," she answered softly. "But you now have real human bodies. Your souls are still connected to a greater power, and this journey will teach you how to control that power."
Helel looked at himself, feeling his empty stomach. "This is so different," he said quietly.
Ereshkigal nodded slowly, understanding the same feeling. "This body needs something we've never experienced before."
Thalindra smiled faintly, full of understanding. "That's your first lesson. The human body gives you closeness to this world, with all its simplicity. When you feel hunger, it's part of this new life—and you will get used to it."
**
That night, they sat together at the table, eating quietly. Although many things still lingered in their minds, the warmth of companionship offered some comfort.